Body carried simulated auto toy

ABSTRACT

A child&#39;&#39;s toy simulating an automobile and comprising a horizontally oriented platform and front and side wall members is shown. The platform has a steering column and steering wheel projecting from it and dashboard instrumentation represented upon it. Likewise, the front and sidewalls have detail simulating the front and side walls of an automobile. In the preferred embodiment an enclosure is formed with a bottom wall and electrical circuitry is provided to operate directional signals and headlamps controlled by switches mounted on the platform.

Elnited States Patent [191 Torres BODY CARRIED SIMULATED AUTO TOY [76] Inventor: Orazio 'Giovacchino Giacomo Torres, Palmas y Ombues v5354, Montevideo, Uruguay [22] Filed: Dec. 6, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 205,013

[52] US. Cl. ..46/l B, 46/228 [51] Int. Cl. ..A63h 33/26 [58] Field of Search ..46/l B, 228; 273/DlG. 19

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Orenstein ..46/l B Saunder ..273/DlG. l9

11] 3,715,832 [451 Feb. 13, 1973 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant ExaminerRobert F. Cutting Attorney-Curtis, Morris & Safford [57] ABSTRACT A childs toy simulating an automobile and comprising a horizontally oriented platform and front and side wall members is shown. The platform has a steering column and steering wheel projecting from it and dashboard instrumentation represented upon it. Likewise, the front and sidewalls have detail simulating the front and side walls of an automobile. In the preferred embodiment an enclosure is formed with a bottom wall and electrical circuitry is provided to operate directional signals and headlamps controlled by switches mounted on the platform.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 3,715,832 SHEET 10E 2 m l k PATENTED FEB 1 3 I975 W3 NE INVENTOR. ORAZIO GIOVACCHINO GIACOMO TORRES PATENIEU FEB 1 3 I975 SHEET 2 BF 2 INVENTOR. ORAZIO GIOVACCHINO GIOCOMO TORRES BODY CARRIED SIMULATED AUTO TOY This invention relates to a childs toy. More specifically, this invention relates to a childs toy which simulates an automobile and, more particularly, the steering wheel and instrumentation thereof.

As is well understood by parents, small children take great delight in emulating their parents actions in driving an automobile. Occasionally, these actions by the child interferes with the parents operation of an automobile and are a nuisance if not a danger to them.

It is thus a primary purpose of this invention to provide a childs toy which permits him to copy the actions of his parents in operating an automobile.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a lightweight toy which can be used either in an automobile or in the home or play area which simulates an automobile and permits the child to play as if he were driving.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a portable toy which the child can carry with him from one place to another.

It is still a further and related object of this invention to teach young children the manipulative skills used in the operation of an automobile.

These and other objects of this invention are achieved in a toy which simulates an automobile and, more specifically, the driving compartment thereof. In its broadest embodiment, the toy comprises the elements of a platform having a steering column and a rotatable steering wheel projecting outwardly from it. The platform has simulated dashboard instruments represented on its surface. A front wall depends from the forward edge of the platform and has detail on it simulating the front of an automobile. Desirably, the platform has sidewalls depending from the side edges thereof having detail on it simulating the side of an automobile. Support brackets may be positioned on the side of the platform for engagement with supporting straps so that the toy can be hung about a childs neck or around his back.

In the preferred embodiment, the toy comprises a horizontally oriented platform with a steering column and rotatable steering wheel and with dashboard instrumentation represented on its surface. The instrumentation includes headlight and directional light switches, as well as speedometer, gas gauge and other typical dashboard dials. The front wall depending from the forward edge of the platform has detail such as a grill, license plate, and headlights. The sidewalls may include details such as fenders and directional light signals. A bottom wall joins the lower edges of the front and sidewalls and the rear edge of the platform and thereby defines an enclosure in which electrical circuitry is emplaced. The circuitry includes batteries and wiring to connect up the headlights and directional lights with the switches on the top surface of the platform.

The invention is further described below in connection with the drawings:

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view of a child carrying the toy of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the toy taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the toy; and

FIG. 4 is a line diagram of typical circuitry enclosed within the toy.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 refers generally to a child carrying the toy of this invention. The toy itself is designated by reference numeral 12 and it can be seen that the top surface thereof has the steering wheel column and steering wheel projecting from it and the front wall includes details simulating the front part of board instruments are represented on platform 16 and include speedometer 22 and gauges 24, 26 and 28. Towards the rear part of platform 16 are switches 30 and 32 which control the directional lights and the headlights respectively, as is described further below. Switch 30 is a conventional three position toggle switch and switch 32 is a conventional on-off switch. Any mechanical switch may be used.

Reference numerals 46 and 48 refer to the sidewalls and reference numeral 47 to the front wall of toy 12. These walls depend from the side and front edges of platform 16 and may be attached in any suitable way. Reference numerals 34 and 36 refer to the directional signals which include light bulbs 38 and 40 and red, semi-transparent lenses 42 and 44. Sidewalls 46 and 48 may contain further detail of the sides of an automobile such as, for example, the fender and bumper shown at reference numerals 50 and 51. On front wall 42 headlights are represented by reference numerals 52 and 54 and include lights 56 and 58 as well as simulated beams 60 and 62. These are connected to switch 32 by means of circuitry described below. i

It should be understood that any detail simulating the driving compartment of an automobile can be represented or built into platform 16. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 this may include a gear shift lever 64 and I-I-shaped socket 66. The side edges of platform 16 or the sidewalls 46 and 48 are desirably provided with support means such as brackets 64 and 66 for engaging a strap 14. It is also desirable to provide a smooth, cutaway surface 68 at the rear of platform 16 in order to provide a more comfortable abutment with the body of the child playing with the toy.

Platform 16, front wall 47 and sidewalls 46 and 48 may be joined by a bottom wall, thus defining an enclosed volume. Within this enclosure can be located simple electrical circuitry such as that shown in FIG. 4. The bottom wall may be attached to the lower edges of walls 46, 47 and 48 and the rear of platform 16 by any suitable fasteners, desirably removable fasteners such as screws, so that access may be had to the enclosed volume.

With reference now to FIG. 4, reference numeral refers generally to an electrical circuit for operating the directional lights 38 and 40 and the headlights 56 and 58. Reference numeral 102 corresponds to switch 32 on platform 16. Switch 102 is shown in the off position. In the on position it makes the circuit in the upper portion of FIG. 4 lighting lamps 102 and 104 which correspond to headlights 56 and 58 and enables the circuit shown in the lower portion of FIG. 4 to be selectively actuated by closure of three-position toggle switch 110. Switch corresponds to toggle switch 30 on platform 16 and lamps 106 and 108 correspond to directional lights 34 and 36. When toggle switch 110 is in the left position, lamp 106 is lit; when toggle switch 110 is in the right position, lamp 108 is lit; and when switch 110 is in the centeror neutral position, neither lamp is lit. Lamps 106 and 108 may be flashers or steady lights. The upper circuit in FIG. 4 includes battery 112 and the lower circuit in FIG. 4 includes batteries 114 and 116.

The circuitry of FIG; 4 is shown by way of example only. Obviously various conventional circuits can be created to light lamps and dials, blow horns or actuate other automobile instrumentation. The electrical cir cuitry can be fastened to the bottom surface of platform 16 within the enclosure or can be supported directly on the bottom wall which forms that compartment. In a less desirable embodiment the bottom member can be omitted and the electrical circuitry attached directly to the bottom surface of platform 16.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable child's toy simulating an automotive conveyance comprising the elements of: a substantially horizontal platform having simulated dashboard instruments represented on its surface; means to support said toy from said child's body without manual assistance; a steering wheel rotatably mounted on a column projecting upwardly and outwardly from said platform and substantially centrally thereof, said steering wheel being essentially horizontallyoriented; and a front wall connected to the front edge of said platform having detail thereupon simulating the front of said automotive conveyance.

2. A portable toy as recited in claim 1 having side walls connected to the side edges of said platform having details thereupon simulating the sides of said automotive conveyance.

3. A portable toy as recited in claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a strap adapted to pass behind the neck of said child and attached to the side edges of said platform.

4. A portable toy as recited in claim 1 wherein the column upon which said steering wheel is mounted is positioned essentially equidistant between the side edges of said platform.

5. A portable childs toy simulating an automobile, comprising the elements of: a substantially horizontal platform having simulated dashboard instruments including headlight and directional light switches set into its surface; a support strap adapted to pass behind the neck of said child, attached to the side edges of said platform; a steering wheel rotatably mounted on a column projecting upwardly and outwardly from said platform, said column being located essentially equidistant between the side edges of said platform and said steering wheel being essentially horizontally oriented; a front wall depending from the front edge of said platform having detail thereon simulating the front of an automobile and including headlights; side walls depending from the side edges of said platform having detail thereon simulating the sides of an automobile and including turn indicator lights; a bottom wall joining the lower edges of said front and side walls and the rear edge of said platform, thereby defining an enclosure; and a battery and electrical circuitry within said enclosure connecting said headlight and turn lights with their respective switchgs. 

1. A portable child''s toy simulating an automotive conveyance comprising the elements of: a substantially horizontal platform having simulated dashboard instruments represented on its surface; means to support said toy from said child''s body without manual assistance; a steering wheel rotatably mounted on a column projecting upwardly and outwardly from said platform and substantially centrally thereof, said steering wheel being essentially horizontally oriented; and a front wall connected to the front edge of said platform having detail thereupon simulating the front of said automotive conveyance.
 1. A portable child''s toy simulating an automotive conveyance comprising the elements of: a substantially horizontal platform having simulated dashboard instruments represented on its surface; means to support said toy from said child''s body without manual assistance; a steering wheel rotatably mounted on a column projecting upwardly and outwardly from said platform and substantially centrally thereof, said steering wheel being essentially horizontally oriented; and a front wall connected to the front edge of said platform having detail thereupon simulating the front of said automotive conveyance.
 2. A portable toy as recited in claim 1 having side walls connected to the side edges of said platform having details thereupon simulating the sides of said automotive conveyance.
 3. A portable toy as recited in claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a strap adapted to pass behind the neck of said child and attached to the side edges of said platform.
 4. A portable toy as recited in claim 1 wherein the column upon which said steering wheel is mounted is positioned essentially equidistant between the side edges of said platform. 